Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is one of the major
grain legumes in tropical Africa. This leguminous plant is
susceptible to many diseases including those caused by
viruses. This article reports results from surveys conducted
from the main cowpea producing areas in Togo for the
occurrence of Southern Bean Mosaic Virus (SBMV) and search for
cowpea cultivars that are resistant to this virus. Serological
tests (double diffusion in agarose gel and DAS-ELISA) with
polyclonal antiserum to intact SBMV were used for the
identification of the SBMV isolates. Results indicated that
SBMV is widespread in the main cowpea producing areas in Togo.
Cassia hirsuta, naturally infected by SBMV, may
constitute a carryover host for SBMV between two cowpea
growing seasons. Two SBMV isolates (18-10 and 10-19) cloned by
local lesions transfers on susceptible cowpea were used for
the screening of 58 cowpea cultivars. Cowpea cultivars
IT82D-703, IT82D-786, IT83S-818, TVx1193-9F and TVx1850-01E
were resistant to both isolates. These resistant cowpea
cultivars could be recommended for farmers where SBMV is a
serious problem for cowpea production.